Identifier:
2013.30.1
Description:
The importance of this particular spoon is its connection with the Dikeman Jewelry Store, and Aaron and Edmond Dikeman, of Grand Rapids. The spoon is a repousse style silverplated sugar spoon in the Hiawatha pattern. The spoon has a retailers mark for E B Dikeman (Edmund Butler Dikeman) impressed on the reverse side of the handle. Silver plate was produced and marketed in great quantities in the last quarter of the 1800s. It wasn't just the rising middle class that was buying plated silver, the wealthier classes bought it for everyday use. There is an article in the 1879 G.R. Daily Times describing Dikeman Jewelry Store in extravagant terms and extolling the magnificence of the shop and its wares pronouncing it the finest in both G.R. and the U.S. The Dikeman's were a family descended from the original Dutch settlers of New Nederlands, in the eastern U.S. Aaron was trained as a silversmith and worked in New York City. In 1837 he came to Grand Rapids with his wife and three children and started the first watch and jewelry store west of Ann Arbor. The Grand Rapids Public Library has letters from him to John Ball, there is some indication they knew each other before Dikeman came to G.R. He apprenticed in the same town that Ball had family in and worked in - Lansingburg NY. Aaron retired in 1867 and his son Edmond took over the store. Aaron was elected three times as county treasurer from 1838 -1843 and continued in various public offices until 1857. He was an early member of the Masons and St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He built a large home on 302 Fulton Street in 1849 that is still standing on the corner of Fulton Street and Lafayette. In the 1840s or 50s there was a downtown fire, the store burned and Aaron built a new brick building to house the shop on Canal Street. He and his wife and three young daughters that were born after they came to Grand Rapids are buried in Fulton Street Cemetery. Edmund, Aaron's only son was born in G.R. and in 1862 at the age of 19 enlisted in the 6th Michigan Cavalry. He served with the unit in all their bloody battles until the group was released in early 1865. He was married 4 times, the first 3 wives died after just a few months or years of marriage in childbirth. Edmund was elected 3 times mayor of Grand Rapids, 1882, 86, 87. He is buried in Fulton St. Cemetery with two of his wives.
Date:
1887
Materials:
Silver
Dimensions:
1" h 1.5" w 6" d
Current Location Status:
In Storage
Collection Tier:
Tier 1
Source:
In Honor of Clarence and Erma Pinckney of Algoma Township, and their grandson, Gary Waid.
Related Entities:
Dikeman (creator)
Parker,Roberta (donor)
